Kentish Express Ashford & District
Open-air rifle range shot down over accident fears
Plans for an open-air rifle range in Ashford have been put on hold over fears someone could be “maimed”.
A proposal to build a 50m Olympic size outdoor firing area at the Ashford and District Rifle Range, off Chart Road was discussed at last week’s planning committee.
The rifle range, which has more than 100 members, sits within a triangle of land bounded by Chart Road, the A28 and the Great Chart Recreation Ground.
Both the new firing position and the target area would be under cover and the range would be enclosed by the existing single-storey building and by twometre high chain link fencing. The proposal also includes further noise mitigation measures including some backstop and noise barrier landscaping within the site.
However, the plans were met with objections from some councillors, who worried about the safety of the public and noise pollution to neighbours.
Cllr Bill Barrett, ward member for Singleton South, said he couldn’t possibly support a rifle range 50m from a road.
He said: “What concerns me is that a bullet could hit a member of the public.
“You only need one accident for someone to get maimed or hurt. Are we confident this range is fully sheltered, so that if a bullet does ricochet it could hit a wall?”
Cllr Paul Clokie, member for Tenterden North, said he knew members of the club and understood that the rules are stringent. However he questioned what guns would be used and said “bullets travel quite far and fast”. Cllrs Stephen Dehnel and William Barrett
He added: “What if someone shoots a bit high and it goes above the bund?”
He noted that 61 people had objected to the application and said he would like to see extra protection above the targets.
Ward member for Downs North, Cllr Stephen Dehnel, who has a military background, addressed the fears and said a rogue shot fired accidently in the wrong direction was “very rare.”
He said: “This would be an attractive facility in Ashford. It would serve the people in the area.
“However, we should address residents’ concerns with safety and noise.
“Anything we can do to mitigate their worries on safety, we should do. We are duty bound.”
Leader of Ashford council, Cllr Gerry Clarkson agreed, and suggested that a screening wall replace the chain fence, as this would “take the sting out of a bullet” and act as a sound barrier.
Members discussed the scheme for just over an hour, and despite officer’s recommending it for approval it was finally agreed to defer the application.